Blood Donors Urgently Needed To Replenish Supply Following "Sandy"

November 2012

�

Community Blood Services is urging community members to schedule their next blood and platelet donations to help replenish the blood supply seriously impacted by Hurricane Sandy and thanks those dedicated donors who have already taken time away from the storm cleanup to make lifesaving donations.

"We want to thank the many dedicated blood, platelet and plasma donors who have come out this past week in the aftermath of this damaging storm to ensure lifesaving blood and platelets are available for patients who need them in our community hospitals. You are all heroes to your community," said Karen Ferriday, director of community affairs for Community Blood Services.

Ferriday noted many blood drives were canceled, and the Paramus and Lincoln Park donor centers were closed, as a result of "Sandy's" power outages and storm damage. Hundreds of units of blood were unable to be collected which must be replenished.

Donors can call 866-228-1500 or visit www.communitybloodservices.com for hours and locations of donation sites and blood drives in New Jersey and New York, or to schedule an appointment to donate at the Paramus or Lincoln Park donor centers in New Jersey, which have both reopened after the storm. They can also donate on a bloodmobile at the Lyndhurst ShopRite on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

Donors in New York can donate this week at the Orange Regional Medical Center drive on Wednesday, Nov. 7 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the Florida Fire Department drive on Thursday, Nov. 8 from 4 to 8 p.m.; and the Newburgh Mall drive on Saturday, November 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All blood types and blood products are needed, especially Type O Negative, the universal blood type. O and AB male plasma donors are also urgently needed for treating trauma patients and platelets are needed for cancer patients, Ferriday said. At least 250 volunteer donors are normally needed each day to meet the needs of the more than 15 hospitals served by the blood center.

Ferriday said many donors who normally might donate at this time may not be able to do so because they are involved in cleanup following �Sandy� and because they are worried about another storm expected to hit this week.

"For this reason we urge all eligible donors who are able to get to one of our donor centers or community drives to please come donate. You can really make a difference," Ferriday said.

Whole blood donors must be healthy, 17-75 years old (16 with parental permission) and weigh at least 110 pounds, Donors also receive complimentary health screenings, including non-fasting cholesterol and glucose screenings.